This year's Reclaim the Streets protest passed off peacefully, with no repeat of the riots seen three years ago.
Several hundred protesters blocked off Beresford Place in central Dublin for over four hours yesterday, causing major disruption to bank holiday traffic.
A substantial force of gardaí - on foot, horseback, bicycle and in cars and a helicopter - was on duty in case of trouble. However, only a few minor scuffles were reported.
Speaking at 6.30pm, shortly after the protest, Supt Ray Barry said no arrests had been made.
"We're happy with the way things have gone. To be fair, they gave very little trouble and now things are back to normal."
While officially the event was organised to protest against globalisation and the policies of the G8 group of wealthy countries, in practice it took the form of an extended open-air party. However, heavy showers served to dampen the protesters' ardour.
About 300 had gathered by the time the march left the Spire, headed down O'Connell Street and then turned on to Eden Quay.
At Beresford Place, between Liberty Hall and the Loopline railway bridge, the protesters blocked off the street and started a four-hour party.
As the skull-and-crossbones was run up the flagpole of Liberty Hall, demonstrators masked the face of the James Connolly statue opposite with black cloth.
Although many were drinking alcohol, the atmosphere remained largely good-natured.
Gardaí held back from intervening, apart from occasional bag checks on those arriving late. On a few occasions when they sought to confiscate items, confrontations arose and they were forced to withdraw. While a Garda van equipped with a camera kept watch on proceedings, many protesters themselves filmed the gardaí at their work.
